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"Todd," Dirk began, eyes wide, "no offense, but what the HELL are you wearing?"
Precisely the reaction Todd was hoping for. Breaking out into a wide grin, he innocently asked, "you like it? Can you believe someone was just going to throw this amazing sweater away?"
"Yes, I can absolutely believe that, it's rather hideous." Oof. That may have been a bit more blunt than Dirk intended.
"Aww, Dirk, where's your Christmas spirit?" Todd's face fell, excitement waning. "I guess you don't want the one I grabbed for you then."
Shit. "Oh, I, um, I - I am not really a, uh, a sweater kind of guy, Todd..." Dirk tried to backpedal, wanting to erase the disappointed look off of Todd's face but not at the expense of putting a horrendous garbage sweater on his body. He literally shuddered at the thought, before realizing that Todd was holding a shopping bag out to him. "Really Todd, you shouldn't have, I couldn't possibly accept this, perhaps Farah would..." He trailed off when he realized Todd was smiling again. In fact, not just smiling but "are you laughing at me? Just because I find the thought of wearing a grotesque display of holiday-themed kitsch that you actually pulled out of the trash distasteful?"
His outburst only made Todd laugh harder. "Dude, you should see your face! You look scandalized! I know you'd never wear an ugly Christmas sweater - although really, you're taking it too seriously, they're supposed to be enjoyed ironically. Here, I did get you something though."
Dirk took the bag warily. "It's not from the garbage!" Todd exclaimed. "For that matter, neither is my sweater, that was a joke. Come on, I know you better than that. Open it!"
Reaching in the bag, Dirk drew out a long strip of fabric. Realizing it was a tie, his face lit up, doubly so when he looked more closely at the pattern. "Now this is more like it! Christmas spirit in the form of fashionable neckwear. Although I have no idea where you could have found a tie with Christmas trees AND whales wearing santa hats. Oh! Do you have an "in" with Father Christmas?"
"Do I...hey, is that a short joke? You'll be lucky if I don't strangle you with that tie," Todd muttered.
Dirk reached over to ruffle Todd's hair before jumping out of his reach. Todd never appreciated his short jokes, but Dirk definitely saw a hint of a smile on his face as he looped his new tie around his neck.